Drama and comedy, not the ideal mix if you ask me, as most of the time there is more drama than comedy and that's also the case in Standing Up, Falling Down. That said I thought this movie wasn't that bad, I didn't laugh much, but the story is strange enough enjoyable to watch. It's just about different people trying to get their life back on the right track. It's rather sad than funny. The acting of Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz was good and that made it worth watching. I mostly knew Schwartz as Jean-Ralphio from the American comedy TV series Parks and Recreation where he played a rather annoying character but in this movie he proves he can play something different. As a drama this movie works, not so much as a comedy, but that's only my opinion. Goodenough for a one time viewing.

This was the second film in a month I've seen about a failed stand-up comedian, the other one was 2019's "International Falls". Well, maybe not so much failed in this case as burned out and ready to find a normal life for Scott Rollins (Ben Schwartz). I wasn't crazy about Scott's introduction to Billy Crystal's character Marty, that bathroom scene was pretty much uncalled for with Marty relieving himself in the sink. How drunk would you have to be to do something like that? I don't think Marty was that wasted, and at the same time, Scott wasn't all that offended. The setting provided an unusual dynamic to what would become a May/December friendship between a couple of guys who were trying to find their way, with Scott remorseful over a life that could have been, and Marty despondent over a failed relationship with an adult son from a first marriage. I have the feeling that for some viewers, some of the situations might hit a little too close to home, and provide more angst than the comic relief the picture tries to offer. The quips and one-liners are well delivered, with the best back and forth probably between Scott and his thirty year old sister Meg (Grace Gummer),trading barbs over each's station in life. Nostalgia fans will line up with Crystal's character reliving the 1986 World Series, while Scott whiles away some time with a "Howard the Duck' rerun from the same year. The finale leaves it to the viewer's discretion as to where Scott winds up with Marty's daughter (Caitlin McGee),an association brought about by Marty's untimely and unfortunate demise.

Scott Rollins (Ben Schwartz) has returned to his Long Island family home after four years of failed standup attempts in L.A. He joins his younger sister Megan (Grace Gummer) as too old to still live with mom and dad. He finds dermatologist Marty (Billy Crystal) peeing in the sink and befriends the troubled elder. He reconnects with married ex Becky (Eloise Mumford).

Scott is a bit sad and not too funny. The same goes for this movie. It's a very familiar story. There isn't much plot. The best relationship is probably Schwartz and Gummer. Quite frankly, it may be interesting to try them in a traditional rom-com. They have a good banter together. As for Schwartz and Crystal, I expected more comedic power. Both are essentially playing sad characters and that drains some of the energy out of their partnership. It seems that everything is toned down a bit including Scott's standup comedy and that keeps the movie at a low simmer.